March 3, 2011
Letter to the Editor
Time
Time & Life Building, Rockefeller Center
New York, NY 10020
Dear Editor:
I am pleased to see that Time devoted an issue to the treatment of chronic pain (“Chronic Pain,” March 7). The truth is there is no shortage of pain sufferers. According to a recent survey from the American Osteopathic Association, nearly 70% of Americans say they, or someone they care for, have experienced pain over the last month. We should be encouraging these people to get help. Finding a physician who can help devise an individualized treatment plan, including the appropriate use of pain medications, is one of the most effective ways for a patient to find relief.
Fortunately, there are many physicians who are qualified to treat all types of pain. Osteopathic physicians (DOs), for example, are not only able to prescribe medication and perform surgery but also are trained to use their hands to move and align muscles and joints to provide relief from conditions such as back pain, knee pain, neck pain and migraines. By combining this hands-on approach with other treatments, DOs can provide a truly personalized approach to care.
Sincerely,
Karen J. Nichols, DO
American Osteopathic Association
142 E. Ontario St.
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 202-8159